About the job

Job summary

Do you want to be at the heart of real Defence issues and play a key role in the United Kingdom’s (UK) national security?

Established in April 2016, the Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO) delivers nuclear capability to deter threats and protect our nation.

The DNO oversees all defence nuclear business (excluding operations) and is responsible for providing nuclear deterrence; sponsoring the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (all the organisations, programmes and people that sustain the UK’s nuclear deterrent); and advising on UK nuclear policy, planning and international co-operation on nuclear matters.  The UK’s independent nuclear deterrent has existed for over 60 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, and that of our NATO Allies. 

Here at DNO we truly believe that diversity and inclusion is not only the right thing to do but is also essential for a thriving and successful organisation. We know that diverse teams bring a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and ideas, which lead to better decision-making, creativity, and innovation. A culture where differences are celebrated and our people feel supported, included, and empowered. Join us and be part of an organisation that truly values diversity and inclusion and makes a positive impact on the world. 

The Warhead Materials Waste & Liabilities Manager is the project officer, engineering lead and SME for the treatment and disposal of DNO nuclear waste and liabilities.Working with AWE, Rolls Royce and other stakeholders to define/ develop waste and liabilities strategies and projects.

As SME you will provide advice and guidance to stakeholders on BAT technologies, monitor, advise and approve all waste forecasting in line with budgetary responsibility.

This will include areas such as; strategic alignment with MOD requirements, influencing business priorities in line with MOD and regulatory requirements, managing/identifying risks and opportunities across the portfolio, and development of investment appraisals and business cases.

This post will be based in Reading or Bristol with regular travel between sites. 

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. 

Job description

This post is on the MOD Civilian Nuclear Post Control List (PCL) and may attract the Nuclear Recruitment and Retention Allowance (RRA). This is a discretionary allowance. The post being listed on the PCL does not mean that the post holder will have an automatic entitlement to receive the RRA. The NSQEP RRA is not a contractual allowance and can be amended or withdrawn without notice in line with MOD Main and Submarine Delivery Agency policy.

The nuclear weapon production system requires numerous hazardous material feedstocks that are in limited supply and carry a high regulatory constraint. Alongside managing and controlling our existing stockpile there is a need to manage the legacy and future waste arising from production and manage material no longer required for the programme. Key to this management is to align where possible with Civil waste and liabilities management to deliver best practice across the enterprise and best value for money for UK tax payers. 

As the DNO Warhead Waste Management Subject Matter Expert you will:

• Provide clear strategic direction for radioactive waste management across the Defence Nuclear Enterprise, through clear tasking or requirement setting for waste streams generated at AWE and Rolls Royce in Derby.
• Act as MOD intelligent customer for the relevant aspects of the sites Waste Management and Decommissioning Strategies to ensure management of the disposal of radioactive waste to the environment is in accordance with approved documentation (BAT, CFA) and within authorisation limits (legislative).
• Management of technical and programme risks associated with all aspects of waste management and the waste hierarchy
• Day to day management of these High Hazard, High Value materials through utilisation of contracts and partnership for safe and secure storage, transportation, accountancy, processing, and disposal of Defence Nuclear Material.
• Work with Other Government Departments, wider MOD and industry, and using Engineering and Nuclear functional competences to develop and implement options to manage legacy and future generated wastes and liabilities
• Lead and share expertise and Learning From Experience at wider Defence and Civil Nuclear Liabilities and Radioactive Waste fora

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Hybrid and flexible working can be considered for this post but will need regular workplace attendance due to security constraints. Candidates are encouraged to discuss options with the recruiting line manager before submitting an application.

This role will require regular domestic travel to other Defence, Government and industry sites.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Qualification or Membership of a professional science, engineering or project or programme institution, with route to Incorporation or Chartership

Skills

• Experience of working in regulated sectors, or high hazard environments
• Experience in Nuclear materials or waste management

Desirable Qualifications

• Degree in a scientific or engineering discipline.
• Membership of a Professional Engineering Institution, with route to Fellowship or Chartership.
• A recognised Project Management Certification (e.g. APM, PRINCE2 or equivalent)

Desirable Skills

• Business Case Approvals experience.
• Nuclear Waste or Liabilities Project Delivery experience.
• Awareness level knowledge of the Nuclear Weapon Programme.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £43,080, Ministry of Defence contributes £11,631 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Candidates can apply online via the Civil Service Jobs website by completing the application form before the deadline shown. Apply using the Civil Service Jobs apply button, filling in all required details in all sections. Using the Success Profiles link for information on format and style, ensure you provide evidence for all Behaviours and Experience sections requested in the appropriate competency style.  

Candidates will be required to complete an online CV template to include job history, full details of education and qualifications and previous experiences and skills. Please also include any relevant responsibilities and achievements.

You have 750 words for a Personal Statement, where you have the opportunity to show how you meet the requirements of the role. 

At interview we will ask you to cover a short 10-minute presentation on how you have worked with another party (delivery agent, industry, or another) to realise a better outcome.  We are particularly interested in how you managed relationships, influenced stakeholders and balanced conflicting priorities.

We will also assess you against these behaviours at interview:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership

Candidates who are found to meet an acceptable standard at interview but are not successful in being offered one of the advertised posts, may be held on a reserve list to be offered one of the emerging roles within the team at a later date, or considered for similar roles within the Business Unit.

The requirements for the role have been benchmarked and these will be used to sift all candidates, with those meeting the minimum requirements invited to interview. 

Please note that due to the sensitivity of the role we can only accept UK Nationals and you will also be expected to achieve Developed Vetting clearance, above the normal clearance level expected for the MOD.  

Nationality Requirements - Further Information for Candidates

1. This post is classed as ‘Reserved’ as per Civil Service Nationality Rules Section 3. In accordance with these rules, ‘only UK nationals may be employed in reserved posts in the Civil Service’[1] (Paragraph. 3.1).

UK National Definition

     2. The definition of a ‘UK National’ can be found at Paragraphs. 1.4-1.8 of the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Dual Nationals

     3.  As per Paragraph. 1.41 of the Civil Service Nationality Rules:

     a)   ‘Candidates with dual nationality are in principle eligible for employment in the Civil Service provided that they meet the requirements in relation to one of their nationalities [i.e. UK National]. They may not be eligible, however, for employment in certain reserved posts where additional nationality requirements are imposed.’ 

Additional Restrictions for Reserved Posts

      4. As per Paragraphs. 3.10-3.11 of the Civil Service Nationality Rules: 

      a)  ‘…departments and agencies are entitled to impose additional requirements in reserved posts if this is considered necessary. This could include, for example, requirements as to the residency of the applicant or the nationality of one or both parents of the applicant.’

      5, If you are a Dual National who possesses UK Nationality and wish to check your eligibility for the post, please contact our recruiting team at the details below. Please be advised that we will not be able to provide a justification for our decision for security reasons. 

DNO External Recruitment DNO-ExternalRecruiting@mod.gov.uk

[1]  Irish nationals and Commonwealth citizens are also eligible for employment in reserved posts if they were in the Civil Service at 31 May 1996 or before, or were appointed from a recruitment scheme with a closing date for receipt of applications before 1 June 1996. (Paragraph. 3.1)

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk . 

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical.  

The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn. 

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.